Headless Horses I

Khalid AlShafar collaborated with French furniture manufacturer Moissonnier to create two limited edition chests of drawers inspired by the contours of a horse's body and Salvador Dalí's surrealist sculptures. This design initiative drew upon the UAE's rich equine culture and the prestige of the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race.

The project, named HEADLESS HORSES, involved reinterpreting two of Moissonnier’s iconic chests into functional storage pieces that double as sculptures. These storage chests commemorate the victories of "Dubai Millennium" in 2000 and "Rewilding" in 2011, both horses from Godolphin, the private racing stable of Dubai’s Al Maktoum Royal Family. Tragically, both horses died prematurely, adding a poignant note to their legacy.

Each chest, named after one of the horses, was meticulously crafted to reflect the horses' coat colours and features, using vintage leather saddles and horse tails sourced from a renowned French saddle maker. The intricate process involved matching the unique patinas based on old photographs, showcasing Moissonnier's commitment to authenticity and detail in this collaborative effort.